Patent attributes
A method, according to various aspects of the present invention, for assigning channels to a plurality of wireless cells. The method is performed by the plurality of wireless cells. The method includes in any practical order: (1) assigning an initial integer to a master wireless cell, wherein the integer is denominated a current hop number and each one wireless cell has a shape of coverage similar to a square; (2) setting a next hop number as the current hop number plus one; (3) assigning the next hop number to each one wireless cell nearest to each one wireless cell assigned the current hop number; (4) incrementing the current hop number by one; (5) repeating setting, assigning the next hop number, and incrementing until all wireless cells of the plurality of wireless cells are assigned a hop number; (6) forming a nine-cell channel pattern by assigning a channel assignment pattern to the master wireless cell, to each of the wireless cells assigned the initial integer plus one, and to each of the wireless cells that are substantially adjacent to two wireless cells assigned the initial integer plus one; and (7) assigning the nine-cell channel pattern to the plurality of wireless cells such that the center cell of the nine-cell channel assignment pattern falls only on wireless cells assigned the initial integer plus an even integer.
